... to help his sister Jacqueline
Brennan Besser is a former Duke basketball player, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Chicago.
The youngest of five, he grew up with four older sisters, including Jacqueline, who has special needs. Inspired by her, Brennan and his sister Rachel launched Walk On America, a cross-country bike and walk journey to raise awareness and funds for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Brennan continues his mission to support the IDD community with When I’m Not Here, a documentary uniting families, advocates, and individuals with disabilities. Inspired by Walk On America, he saw the need to bring this community together, sharing stories to inspire hope and drive change through powerful storytelling.
No matter what, there's always us.
This is what I tell my wife and two kids. No matter what happens in life, throughout all the ups and downs, at the end of the day... there will always be us.
My name is Mike Charizopoulos. I'm 38 years old and I'm lucky enough to have married my best friend. I own a video production company (mcmd.studio) based in Chicago. What I'm most proud of in my life is my family.
When our twins were born, doctors told us that they would "most likely end up in wheelchairs due to cerebral palsy". Five years of trying to have kids (my wife is an absolute hero), and when we were told this possible outcome by doctors, we both reminded each other that no matter what, there's always us. Even though our kids had an unknown road of different therapies and neurologist appointments, we would always advocate for them, regardless of how life unfolded.
My kids don't have cerebral palsy. We aren't autistic and we don't have Down Syndrome. We are parents who love their children very much and who understand how lonely life can feel when people are the outlier, when people are misunderstood, and when they could use some help. Coming from a small family, my purpose in life used to be to build a foundation for my family. Now, it's to be a part of something bigger: to amplify voices and to manifest real change. To look at the impossible and not flinch. I believe it starts with this documentary.
meet the director
press room
Thanks so much for your interest in the When I'm Not Here documentary and movement! For press inquiries please contact us at info@whenimnothere.com. For additional assets and the latest updates on the show, please browse the page below.